July Events at the Baltimore Zen Center

Weekly Dharma Practice

Tuesdays 7:00-9:00pm
Join us in the hermitage every Tuesday night for an evening of sitting meditation, discussion over tea and light refreshments, and chanting. We encourage those who've never practiced with us before to come to this class with an open mind and a handful of questions! Experienced practitioners are also most welcome. Contact: J.B. Jaeger

Saturdays 10:00-11:30am
Join us for our group Dharma Practice, which includes sitting meditation, sutra readings, chanting, and a brief Dharma talk. Afterward, stick around for fellowship and conversation over tea and pastries in the hermitage! Children are always welcome at this family-oriented gathering. Contact: J.B. Jaeger

Monday-Friday 7:30-8:30am
Open meditation/Jwaseon/Zen practice lets you start your day with sitting and walking meditation, chanting and fellowship with others on the path. Come as you are, sit as little or as long as you wish, and carry stillness with you into the new day. Contact: Marin

Other Weekly Events

Monday, Wednesday and Friday 6:20-7:20am
Yoga: A playful blend of asana (still poses) and vinyasa (flowing between poses) chosen especially to prepare the body for seated meditation. Modifications are presented throughout the practice, making it suitable for beginners and experienced yoga students alike. Contact: Marin

Monday, Wednesday and Friday 7:00-9:00pm
Sword Mountain Aikido: Includes seated Zen meditation, the physical practice of Aikido, and a period for discussion. Beginners and experienced practitioners of any rank, lineage, faith, and level of physical ability who come with sincere interest are welcome to join our practice. Come as you are! Practitioners may attend as many or as few of the sessions as personal schedules allow. Progress at your own pace. Contact: Joe

Special Events

July 18th
9:00am-12:00pm
Half-Day Retreat: Half-day meditation retreats are great times for beginners to dig into their practice with the rest of the sangha. They're also great times for experienced practitioners to continue moving forward. Retreats begin with a short Dharma talk and instruction session. Each sitting meditation session lasts 30 minutes, followed by 10 minutes of walking meditation. Before the final sitting session, we will perform the 108 Prostrations, an incredible practice for centering body and mind. The final sitting will be followed by a brief Dharma talk and discussion over a light lunch and traditional tea. Contact: J.B. Jaeger
Suggested donation: $20

July 18th
1:30-4:30pm
Four Truths and Eight Steps: This class is the perfect springboard for those just beginning their Zen practice. It covers the basic tenets of our practice: the Four Noble Truths, which are the Buddha's realizations about the nature of reality, and the Eightfold Path, by which we may free ourselves from suffering. For those who attend the morning retreat, this continuation will allow you to reflect on how your meditation practice applies to what you do in daily life, transforming your life to one complete practice. For those not attending the Half-Day Retreat, this is still a wonderful introduction to the fundamentals of our practice at the Baltimore Zen Center. For those only attending this Basic Training Class, we ask for a $20 donation to help cover expenses. Contact: J.B. Jaeger

July 25th
7:00pm-12:00am
Karaoke Night! In Japanese, "Karaoke" literally means "Empty Orchestra", although many insist it means "Tone Deaf". We'll be meeting at Baltimore's famous Yakitori One restaurant (2101 Maryland Ave, Baltimore, MD) for some excellent food and great sake, before moving up the street to Rainbow Noraebang. For the Korean-impaired, "noraebang" literally means "song room". It refers to a private party room where you can subject your closest friends to your fantasies of being on stage with Prince. Come out for an evening of great food and the fun of watching your sangha-mates completely embarrass themselves. Please bring at least $20 to help cover the cost of renting the noraebang. Contact: J.B. Jaeger

See you soon!